Patent · US Active

Translucent object having housing, cavities and controller forming facial expressions

US9759413B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 2015
Grant dateSep 12, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 17, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.